Asthma is one of the most common health problems in the United States - and it can significantly affect patients' lives - at school, at work,at play, and at home.
Asthma is a chronic, treatable disease that causes narrowing of the
airways, making breathing difficult at times. More than 22 million people in the United States have asthma, including 6.5 million children under age 18. Without appropriate treatment, asthma can significantly limit individuals' activities and result in asthma exacerbations, which can lead to hospitalization and even death. The CDC estimates that 4,000 Americans die from asthma exacerbations each year.
The new guidelines The guidelines emphasize that while asthma can be controlled, the condition can change over time and differs among individuals and by age groups. Thus, it is important to monitor regularly the patient's level of asthma control so that treatment can be adjusted as needed.
Over-all, the guidelines use established practice standards learned over a generation ago as they have stood the test of time and additional research confirms their on-going effectiveness. For instance, inhaled corticosteroids are still the best long-term control treatment for asthma patients of all ages because we have even stronger evidence that they are generally safe and are the most effective medication at reducing inflammation, a key component of asthma.
Emphasized in the new guidelines is the role of patient education. Patient education includes the use of patient journals to note their periods of breathing difficulty and associated activities. Education is perceived as not only the health care provider's responsibility, but should be provided across the health care continuum, such as pharmacies, schools, and the media. Health information needs to include the need for continuous control, not just treatment during attacks. Observation and teaching on the 'how-to's' of using a dosed meter are essential.
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